Examination of the time of response to single problems in spatial perception suggests that the approach of subjects to multiple-choice questions may differ from their approach to free-choice questions. There is some evidence for thinking that the slower subjects score more highly, and that practice in a given type of problem affects speed rather than correctness of response. These results may provide a new interpretation of some effects previously observed in repeated retesting of the same group.
The design of the experiment discussed was a “balanced incomplete block”, in which 120 subjects were required to answer 108 out of the total of 540 problems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CaneV. R.HeimA. W. (1950). The effects of repeated retesting: III. Further experiments and general conclusions. Quart. J. exp. Psychol.2, 182–197.
2.
CaneV. R.HeimA. W.The effect of time limit on test scoreIn preparation.
3.
HarrisN. (1947–50). Reports on testing and retesting grammar school girls at yearly intervals Unpublished.
4.
McFarlandR. (1930). An experimental study of the relationship between speed and mental ability. J. gen. Psychol.3, 67–97.
5.
McLeodL. S. (1929). The interrelations of speed, accuracy and difficulty. J. exp. Psychol.12, 431–442.
6.
PeakH.BoringE. G. (1926). The factor of speed in intelligence. J. exp. Psychol.9, 71–94.
7.
SlaterP. (1938). Speed of work in intelligence tests. Brit. J. Psychol.29, 55–68.
